Unit 2

1 . Salient Features of the Swiss

Constitution:
The Swiss Constitution, officially known as the Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation, is a foundational
document that outlines the structure of government, fundamental rights, and principles of Swiss democracy. Some of
its salient features include:

federaiism:
Switzerland is a federal state composed of 26 cantons, each with its own constitution and degree of
autonomy. The federal government shares powers with the cantonal governments, with certain matters
falling under federal jurisdiction, such as defense, foreign affairs, and currency.
Direct Democracy:
Switzerland is known for its robust system of direct democracy, where citizens have a direct say in decision-making
through referendums and popular initiatives. This allows for greater citizen participation and influence in policy
matters.
Consensus Politics:
Swiss politics is characterized by a culture of consensusbuilding and cooperation among different political parties and
linguistic regions. This
Approach aims to foster stability, inclusivity, and national cohesion.
decentralization:
In addition to federalism, Switzerland values decentralization, with a significant degree of decision-making power
vested in local communities and municipalities. This enhances local autonomy and responsiveness to community
needs.
2. Federal Assembly:
The Federal Assembly
(Bundesversammlung) is the Swiss federal legislature, consisting of two chambers:
national Council (Nationalrat):
The lower house, with 200 members elected through a proportional representation system based on cantonal
populations.
The National Council represents the Swiss people and plays a crucial role in legislative matters.
Council of States (Ständerat):
The upper house, with 46 members representing the 26 cantons. Each canton has two representatives (except for
halfcantons, which have one). The Council of States ensures cantonal interests are considered in federal legislation.
The Federal Assembly is responsible for passing laws, approving the federal budget, electing members of the Federal
Council, and overseeing the federal government's activities.

3. Federal Council:
The Federal Council (Bundesrat) is the
Executive branch of the Swiss government, collectively serving as the head of state and government. It consists of seven
members known as Federal Councillors, each heading a federal department:

1 . Department of Foreign Affairs

Department of Home Affairs
Department of Justice and Police
Department of Defense, Civil Protection, and Sport
Department of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs,
Education, and Research
Department of the Environment,
Transport, Energy, and Communications
The Federal Council operates on a principle of collegiality, with decisions made collectively rather than by individual
members. It represents various political
Parties and linguistic regions, reflecting Switzerland's diversity and consensusoriented politics.

4. Direct Democracy:
Direct democracy is a cornerstone of Swiss political culture, allowing citizens to directly participate in decision-making
and influence government policies. There are two main instruments of direct democracy in Switzerland:
Referendums:
Citizens can challenge legislation passed by the Federal
Assembly by collecting signatures within a specified timeframe. If enough signatures are gathered, the proposed law is
subject to a national referendum, where citizens vote to accept or reject it.
popular Initiatives:
Citizens can propose new laws or amendments to the constitution by collecting a certain number of signatures within a
set period. If enough signatures are obtained, the initiative is put to a national vote, and if approved, it becomes law.
Direct democracy promotes transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance. It allows for a bottom-
up approach to policymaking, ensuring that public opinion and preferences are considered in decision-making
processes.
conclusion:
The Swiss Constitution embodies key principles such as federalism, direct democracy, consensus politics, and
decentralization. The Federal Assembly, Federal Council, and mechanisms of direct democracy contribute to
Switzerland's democratic governance, political stability, and inclusive decision-making. This unique blend of federalist
structure and direct citizen involvement serves as a model for participatory democracy and decentralized governance.